Removing Perspiration Stains from Delicate Cloth
Lay the stain in the cloth over some blotting paper, and sponge the cloth with a grain-alcohol and ether solution, which should be made by mixing equal portions of each. The sponging should be quite vigorous and kept up until the cloth is dry, then the spot should be touched lightly with ammonia water, which can be purchased at any drug store. This will leave a slight blur, which can be removed by rubbing with French chalk on the wrong side. The chalk is cheap and can be procured with the ammonia water. Do not forget the blotting paper, as it keeps the solution from forming a ring around the spot.
Buttonhole Cutter
If the buttonhole scissors are mislaid or there are none at hand, the holes may be cut in the manner shown in the sketch. Place a piece of wood, having a width equal to the length of the buttonhole, on the table and lay the cloth over it in the line where the holes are required, then draw a sharp knife across the cloth on the wood where the holes are marked. This will cut the cloth neatly and accurately.—Contributed by A. S. Thomas, Gordon, Can.
Sharp Knife Drawn across the Cloth Laid over a Piece of Wood Cuts the Holes
Filing Small Rods in a Lathe
Reducing the diameter of a small rod by filing while it is turning in a lathe is a difficult thing to do, as the pressure of the file on one side bends the rod. The filing may be easily accomplished by using two files, as shown in the sketch. In this manner almost any amount of pressure can be applied by squeezing the files together without danger of bending the rod.—Contributed by J.F. Tholl, Detroit, Mich.
The Pressure of One File Against the Other Prevents the Rod from Bending